The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has announced that its Middle East Humanitarian Appeal has now raised over £20 million.
This significant amount reflects the generosity of the UK public, DEC corporate partners, and long-time supporters, as well as contributions from the UK Government’s Aid Match program.
Actors Riz Ahmed, Joe Alwyn and Ruth Negga have lent their support to the DEC’s Appeal, in a powerful new video launched on the DEC’s website and social media channels.
The video highlights the extreme levels of humanitarian need facing people across Gaza, Lebanon and the wider Middle East region – with millions having fled their homes in search of safety and many more in urgent need of food, shelter and medical care.
The DEC has already allocated funds to its member charities – including ActionAid, Concern Worldwide UK, Islamic Relief, Oxfam and Save the Children – who are responding right now with lifesaving assistance.
But the number of people in need of humanitarian aid continues to grow. Together, Joe, Riz and Ruth are urging the UK public to continue to give generously to the Appeal, to enable DEC’s member charities to help many more families, children and communities in desperate need of support.
Actor Joe Alwyn said, “For children living in Gaza, daily life has become about survival. Families can no longer promise their children the security of a safe place to sleep or regular meals, and many children have been out of school for months on end. The intense stress and trauma on young people is overwhelming.
“In the face of such heartbreaking devastation, many of us feel utterly powerless. But your donations to the DEC appeal will make a genuine difference. DEC member charities and their local partners are supporting families across the region right now, and they need our support.”
Actor Riz Ahmed said, “The devastating stories of loss, destruction and suffering from people in Gaza and Lebanon are hard to hear. Thousands of children are now injured, homeless, hungry and even orphaned. And there is little hope of respite.
“But we must not look away – millions of people are in urgent need of our help. Our donations can help make an immediate difference to people’s lives – providing food, medicine, basic supplies, or a safe place to sleep for them and their families.”
Actress Ruth Negga said, “The level of humanitarian need in communities across Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region is horrifying to witness. Millions are struggling without even the most basic necessities and women and girls are particularly vulnerable. There is little access to safe shelter or proper sanitation, and everyday essentials such as women’s hygiene products are desperately hard to find. Without access to maternal healthcare, new mums are doing their best to care for newborns in the cruelest conditions.
“DEC charities are providing a lifeline of support to so many of these women right now, through setting up safe spaces, distributing hygiene kits and providing medical care. They need our help to continue this vital work in the weeks and months ahead.”
DEC charities already helping those most urgently in need in several ways, including:
- Providing hot meals, dry goods and food parcels with fresh produce, as well as supplies for community kitchens feeding displaced people.
- Distributing clean drinking water, toilets and hygiene kits to improve sanitation in camps and shelters.
- Supporting field hospitals and medical clinics in Gaza with equipment and medical staff to treat those with chronic illnesses as well as people with traumatic injuries.
- Supplying shelter support, such as tents, shade covers and tarpaulins, particularly for those displaced in Gaza to Al Mawasi and Rafah.
- Offering cash vouchers, so that people can buy the mattresses, blankets, bedding and essential items they need from local markets.
- Providing psychological support and setting up child friendly spaces, to help families manage the traumatic impact of ongoing conflict.
DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed said, “I am humbled by the unfailing compassion of so many people who have rallied in support of this appeal to extend their help to the millions of people in need across Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region.
“Funds raised from this appeal are already enabling DEC charities to extend lifesaving humanitarian assistance and help to alleviate suffering across the region. This scale-up of their response would not be possible without the generosity of the British public and so many organisations who are giving their support to the DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal.”
